On the question of whether it's worth taking a risk over F-16s, we need to look at the issue from PAF's perspective. As we speak the PAF has many Mirages and some F-7s to replace, it'll either end up retiring them and downsize the fleet or pick up an immediately available replacement.

The PAF wants to pick up the pace on JF-17, but it can't. The Pakistani government is basically unable to come up with the necessary funds to make an aggressive pick up of JF-17s possible. Just think about the fact that Pakistan burned $100 billion in direct costs and lost opportunities as a result of Waziristan, the blame squarely sitting on our inability and unwillingness to firmly resolve the matter.

Whereas the PAF originally wanted 250 JF-17s to operate as its workhorse fighter, a sizable number of FC-20s to give it additional range and payload, and a sizable number of F-16s (especially new-built C/Ds) to serve as the "pointy-edge." This was back in 2004-2005 when AFFDP-2015 was being drafted.

Now fast-forward to 2014 and take a look at where Pakistan's at today, it's broke. In fact, I don't know how or why we could even assume our establishment leaders are event interested in bringing the economy to par and generating the funds necessary for the military, all indications suggest otherwise.

In this environment the PAF's options are limited. These ex-Jordanian F-16s are coming as is and seem to be pretty cheap, i.e. PAF picking airframes up via EDA and paying for transport. It's either these used F-16s or 'stopgap' F-7PGs or something to maintain fleet numbers... The FC-20 program is as good as dead to PAF and the JF-17 will be lucky to reach its originally-set 150 figure, never mind 200 or 250.

As far as I am concerned, I think the PAF will be (or already is) making a play for as many excess F-16A/B and F-16C/Ds as possible. It will appeal to users throughout the world and pin its hope on governments looking to off-load F-16s in return for hard cash (so as to balance their fiscal budgets). For the time being these F-16s will come in 'as is' - i.e. no foreseeable plans for radar and avionics upgrades, just necessary structural changes to increase airframe life.

IMHO the PAF will look to end up with 100+ F-16A/Bs of various types (MLU and ADF) and 55-75 F-16C/Ds composed of used and maybe additional new-built models. Besides ~150 F-16s they'll want 150-200 JF-17s, and if money permits in the mid-2020s, some J-31s or other comparable 5th gen fighter (e.g. TFX or KFX).

Pakistan could acquire more Jordanian Lockheed Martin F-16 A/B Block 15 aircraft, as it prepares to receive the final two examples of the current deal for 13 aircraft. An air force spokesman says the number of F-16’s could increase, but did not provide specific numbers.

From late April, Pakistan has received 11 former Jordanian F-16s. The arrival of the last two aircraft is expected soon, says the spokesman. Pakistan decided to acquire used aircraft, as opposed to new ones, owing to budgetary concerns.

Based on Flightglobal’s World Air Force’s directory, the deal reduces Jordan’s F-16 fleet to 29 examples, and boosts Pakistan’s to 50. Media reports from Pakistan quote air force officials saying that on average the airframes still have 3,000 flying hours, and should serve for an additional 20 years.

Getting more F-16s is good. European options should be looked into as well. Several countries operating already MLUed versions are looking to put them in storage or move to JSFs.

Having pre upgraded F-16s would save time and costs.

I don't think the JF-17 is delayed because of costs, its a high priority project with national importance, the budgetary constraints could be met. My guess is its delayed because of unavailability of sub components. Since configuration not finalized it means Improved avionics and engine not yet ready.

SARGODHA: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) on Wednesday organized a formal ceremony to include F-16 fighter jets from Jordan Air Force into the national forces fleet here at Sargodha Airbase.

The fighter jets arrived from Pakistan’s middle-eastern friendly country Jordan and were included in PAF Nineteenth Squad.

The fighter aircraft have been purchased from Jordan and they were in the use of the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF).

The ceremony started with the recitation of Holy Quran, Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was the chief guest of the ceremony.

Air Chief Marahal Tahir Rafique Butt, said that, we were thank full to Jordan Air force for giving F-16 fighter jets, “We are capable of taking down any internal or external challenge put in front of us”, he added.

Chief guest Gernal Raheel Sharif said, “I congratulate Pakistan Air force on this achievement”, we will stand side by side with Pakistan Air force to face any challenge, he added.

WITH the inclusion of a new squadron of F-16s in the fleet, the Pakistan Air Force continues its quest for sought-after fighter aircraft.

The PAF recently purchased over a dozen American-built F-16s from Jordan to boost its strength. Eleven of these aircraft joined the PAF squad at the Mushaf airbase in Sargodha on Wednesday. With this, the total number of F-16 aircraft in the PAF is said to have reached around 80, thought to be more than sufficient to lead an aerial offence or defence tactic.

Though earlier it enjoyed supremacy in South Asia, the PAF was hit with financial constraints during the 1990s, and hardware restrictions were imposed on it by the US and its Western allies due to Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Specifically, the refusal by the US to deliver 28 F-16s despite receiving a hefty price of $685 million hit the steady development of the PAF. This prompted Pakistan to evolve an alternative strategy: this is the first time the PAF has purchased F-16 fighting falcons from a Middle Eastern country.

Pakistan not only acquired the maximum number of Mirage aircraft to build the world’s largest fleet of the 40-year-old warplane but also upgraded available F-16s with the new technology of Block 52 from Turkey. It also equipped its frontline squads with the latest avionics system, Beyond Vision Range missiles and air-to-air refuelling systems. The Mirages were upgraded at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra, and after overhauling, these planes are now said to be serving to the maximum required standards.

The PAF also manufactured its own JF-17 Thunders with the help of China and inducted about 50 planes in the fleet. The plan now is to induct up to 200-250 in the squad over a couple of years as production has been doubled. Previously, Pakistan was producing around 10 JF-17 Thunder planes in a year; now, annual production stands at 20.

“Our fleet has a modest number of fighting falcons now. This includes old but overhauled and very effective Mirages, new F-16s with Block 52 technology, JF-17 Thunders, and the latest missile and avionics systems,” said PAF spokesperson Air Commodore Tariq Mahmood.

“The recently inducted F-16 squadron from Jordan has been purchased at a nominal price. Similarly the cost of co-produced JF-17 Thunder is almost one-third in comparison with any modern aircraft of its category.”

But former vice chief of air staff Air Marshal Shahid Lateef says the F-16 squadron from the Royal Jordan Air Force was available at a low price because its technology was getting old.

“The A&B version of F-16 aircraft, which we have just bought from Jordan, was available to us at a low price because Jordan was also upgrading their fleet to the C&D version of F-16. The A&B version of F-16s is now an old technology.”

Despite the PAF’s strategic expansion or upgrade, it remains far behind the Indian Air Force as far as numbers are concerned.

“India has an air force that is three times bigger than that of Pakistan,” says Lateef. “Their budget is six times higher. They have recently ordered 126 Rafale jets from France and have well over 1,000 fighter planes. We are no match for them in numbers.”

But Mahmood insists the difference in the number of planes and weapons becomes immaterial when human resource delivers better results.

“Besides technology, our main weapon is the motivation of our human force,” he argues.

“They know very well how to fight against an enemy three times bigger, and our pilots and engineers have proved themselves better in the past. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt attaches great importance to human resource, realistic training, empowerment at field commanders level and progressive approach to tackle every challenge.”

The proof of the pudding, they say, is in the eating.

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